1955Teaches at Kok-Terek school and writes the novel The First Circle.

1955, SeptemberSolzhenitsyn writes a petition to NS. Khrushchev on removal of restrictions on movement.

1956, AprilLifting of exile

1956, May 5Receives a general citizen’s passport.

1956, June 20Leaves Kok-Terek for Moscow.

1956, August 24Appointed as a teacher in Mezinovsky high school in the Kurlovsky region of the Vladimir district. Here he rents a room from a widow named Matryona, brought to life in his short story, "Matryona’s Home".

1956, AutumnThe first version of the novel The First Circle completed.